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Ever since September 11, I alwaysfeared that London may be targeted - it was just a matter of when. And today my prediction came true.

It's been confirmed that it was a co-ordinated terrorist attack. There were initial reports that it had simply been an electrical fault with the underground trains, however when the double decker bus got hit, it was evidential it was definitely terrorists. An Al-Quada-linked website soon took responsibility, but police are keeping an open mind and are still investigating other possibilities for who was responsible.

The story is - between 8am and 10am (ie rush hour) a series of four bombings happened a short time after each other. Three underground trains were targeted. One explosion was on a circle line train near Liverpool Street station where the front carriage of a train exploded
just 100 yards into the tunnel after taking off. People were trapped inside the train for 30 minutes gripped with panic and kicking in windows to get air admist all the smoke before heading out the back of the train and being led back through the tunnel and above ground.

Another explosion was on a circle line train near Edgeware Road station. And the other explosion happened on a piccadilly line train travelling between Kings Cross and Russell Square stations. Here the force of the blast blew a hole through a wall and onto another train at an adjoining platform, and possibly a third train. Basically, the bomb detonated at the exact moment it passed these two other trains, which indicates it could have been a suicide bomber. (as yet unconfirmed) The latest reports are that 35 people died in all these blasts, and there are around 700 injured. Apparently there are still some people in hospital
who are critical, so the death toll could rise by tomorrow.

After the tube attacks, at around 9:45am, a double decker bus was ripped apart by a bomb. There are pictures of it all over the news and web. The back half of the bus and the entire roof is completely gone, just a few lone seats are left on the upper deck and few handrails. They didn't release the number of deaths from the bus blast until this evening, where they finally revealed 2 people had died. Initial eye witness reports had bodies lying all over the street and the
expected casualties were much higher. But luckily, there was apparently medical help close at hand at the scene, so I guess a lot of lives were saved.

According to reports, London's reaction to the blast has actually been well handled. The emergency services had a plan in place for such an occurence, and had actually previously rehearsed it in full scale, so they were prepared. Londoners fell silent and businesses closed early today so people could embark on the long walk home. Tubes were completely shut down all day, as were buses. People were also warned to stay where they were, while outsiders were told not to come into London. And the highways around the city had signs up saying turn back and not to enter, as the roads were already gridlocked. However, buses were beginning to run again by tonight, and tomorrow the tubes are supposed running again, except the lines that were
effected.

It seems too much of a coincidence that the attack took place on the first day of the G8 summit here in Scotland. The world leaders gave a joint statement that the terrorists would not win and would be brought to justice. Thenthe UK prime minister Tony Blair left the summit to return to London while the other leaders carried on without him. Blair has been the lead campaigner to give more aid to Africa and wipe their outstanding debt. But the attack today took precedent instead. However, he is expected to return to Gleneagles at some time tonight.

The question is, what happens now? I will be glued to the web/tv tomorrow to keep up to date with what on earth is going on... I am deeply saddened by this great tragedy, as I'm sure are most people across the world